The Wedding Registry and Gift Trends Experts Expect to See in 2025

Creating a gift registry has been a wedding-planning rite of passage for decades—engaged duos have long been building gift lists for family and friends to reference ahead of the big day. You probably even grew up surrounded by items that came from your parents’ own nuptial registry. Now that you’re planning to tie the knot, you’ve likely fielded more than a few suggestions about what you should add to your list, and while the tradition of the wedding registry is likely here to stay, new trends are always emerging when it comes to gifting. In recent years, more couples have started to request nontraditional presents, opting to ask for cash to help them buy their dream home or fund their honeymoon instead of fine china. It’s pretty clear: Gone are the days of buying couples just home and entertaining items they’ll pull out once per a year. 

As for what registry gifts might look like in 2025? “This year, we’re seeing couples lean into thoughtful, luxurious, and experience-based gifts that align with their shared values and interests, creating a new era of purposeful and meaningful gift giving,” says Reneille Velez, the owner and lead planner of Gian Events. Ahead, we tapped Velez and other experts in the wedding and gifting space for their predictions on some of the registry trends they’re anticipating in 2025.

Simple, Practical Gifts That Are Used Every Day

In 2025, Johanna Howard, the owner of Johanna Howard Home, anticipates seeing even more practical gifting when it comes to weddings—rather than giving items that will sit untouched or unused for years. “Covid-19 taught us how important it is to create a sanctuary at home, and a silver place setting or an ice bucket is just going to sit in a closet most of the time,” she says. “Instead, try [gifting] a set of handmade ceramic mugs, placemats and cloth napkins, or a vase that you can fill with fresh-cut flowers.” 

This is something Rebecca Lang, the owner and certified lead wedding and event planner of L3 Events, anticipates seeing as well—but expects to see a shift away from “things” entirely (more on that later!). “In 2025, wedding registry trends are moving away from traditional household items like pots, pans, and fine china,” she says. “Today’s couples, who are often a bit older and already living together, find less need for such items. Instead, they are embracing registries that focus on experiences over material goods.”

There’s also an added perk to asking for (and receiving) a gift you’ll use on a regular basis. When you reach for that glass, cutting board, or blanket, you’ll be reminded of the guest who gave it to you. It’s something Howard sees with her clients. “Our alpaca throws have seen a big boost as wedding gifts because the newlyweds can snuggle up under one in the evenings—and it reminds them of the person who gave it to them whenever they do,” she says. 

Homewares in Bold Colors 

Though vibrant color has been on the rise for a few years now (both in the wedding and the home space!), most of today’s registries have been relatively neutral; couples that are choosing home goods have selected cream, white, black, and beige options that work across many aesthetics (including the one they have now and the one they might have later). That’s all changing in 2025: More and more couples are embracing bold, bright shades—and guests are delivering just that via their gifts. Howard expects to see newlyweds picking out extra-bright wares in 2025. “The days of gifting neutrals just because they ‘go with everything’ are over,” she affirms. “Today's [couples] understand the power of color to bring life into a home, and they are actively and intentionally curating their spaces with bold color palettes, whether it's an energetic celadon, joyful goldenrod, or juicy tangerine. I'm already seeing a strong appetite to play with color, and it just seems to be getting bigger.”

Experiences Over Things (With a Luxurious Twist)

By now, it shouldn’t be a surprise: More and more couples are opting to create honeymoon funds instead of traditional registries. Experts expect to see this trend continue to grow in the coming year. “We’re seeing 50 percent growth compared to 2023, signaling a massive increase in honeymoon gifting,” says Sara Margulis, the CEO of Honeyfund, a honeymoon registry site. “Honeymoon budgets are up to $5,700 on average compared to $3,500 in 2019 with longer trips and far-away destinations signaling that couples want to have more shared travel experiences.” 

Velez also anticipates seeing more couples asking for—and receiving—concierge services to help them plan and execute these crowd-funded trips. “For 2025, we foresee that couples are increasingly adding luxury honeymoon packages to their registries,” she says. “A bespoke honeymoon experience, from luxury safaris and private island stays to curated culinary journeys in Europe is easy to want, but can be tedious to plan. Gifting the vacation, along with a dedicated travel concierge ensures every moment is seamless, from coordinating private airport transfers to arranging exclusive local experiences, such as sunset cruises or private chef dinners.” 

Subscriptions

In addition to experiences and everyday items, experts also point to an increasing number of couples requesting subscription-based gifts in their wedding registries. Velez offers the example of a monthly coffee subscription, which can often combine a ritualistic experience with a tangible item. “For the coffee-loving couple, a premium coffee subscription is a fantastic gift that adds a warm, personal touch to their daily routine,” she adds. “Many of these brands also offer coffee-making accessories, from pour-over sets to artisanal mugs, creating a complete coffee experience.” Not a fan of coffee? Consider adding a monthly wine, cheese, or flower subscription to your registry, instead.

Charitable Contributions

While many cash fund gifts may revolve around a couple—whether that’s their honeymoon or a down payment on their first home—some are entirely about others: Experts anticipate more couples asking guests to give to a cause they care about. “Something I'd love to see more of is in lieu of a gift, donating to a non-profit that the couple is passionate about,” says Jaime Ta, an Oregon-based wedding and event planner. “I've seen some really wonderful weddings where guests have the option to donate to support children's education programs, BIPOC organizations, etc.” 

Lang agrees: “For the couples we plan for who feel they have everything they need, we recommend charitable contributions as a thoughtful alternative,” she says. “Couples can list favorite charities on their registry, encouraging guests to donate in lieu of gifts. This approach not only personalizes the celebration but also leaves a lasting impact—it’s a gift that truly keeps on giving.”